Endangered species Southern Resident Killer Whales

The Southern Resident Killer Whales are the world’s most studied group of orcas. Once abundant throughout the waters of the Pacific Northwest, the Southern Residents are now one of the most imperilled killer whale populations in the world. The Southern Residents are listed as endangered species under Canadian and U.S. law due to their genetic and cultural distinctiveness, small population size, low reproductive rate, and the presence of various anthropogenic (human caused) threats that have the potential to prevent recovery or to cause further declines.